A SEVEN-MONTH-OLD business has been forced to close after thieves plundered £60,000 worth of stock.

The boss of CJ Installations said two massive burglaries have left him with no choice but to quit Winsford.

The latest raid happened in the early hours of Wednesday morning when thieves broke in through the business's roof and stole 52 TVs worth around £30,000 in total.

The offenders managed to get into the premises, on Road One of Winsford Industrial Estate, despite the building being fitted with alarms and CCTV which had been installed only last month. Bosses forked out £5,000 on the security measures after the first burglary, which happened on December 10. In that incident, raiders cut a hole in a metal wall and stole a quantity of TVs, again worth around £30,000.

Manager Emlyn Cole-Jones, 29, said: 'After the second burglary we knew we had to leave Winsford. If we were hit another time we would be bankrupt - we just can't handle the cost.

'I thought Winsford would be a good place for the business but all this has forced me out. We'll now be looking to reopen somewhere else in Cheshire.

'I couldn't face going back to the yard knowing what's happened and we knew we had to get out so we moved everything out this week and the place is just deserted now.'

Police say a gang of thieves broke in at around 1am on Wednesday and made off with six 42ins plasma-screen TVs, 16 LCD TVs and 30 20ins TVs. The total value of the haul is £30,370.

They managed to avoid the alarms, which had been fitted around the walls but not on the roof. CCTV images have been passed to police, and forensic teams have searched the scene for clues.

Mr Cole-Jones added: 'Last Monday we had our first delivery since the December burglary, and just over a day later we get hit again - it's ridiculous.

'The police are trying their best but they didn't get there until the following morning, and by then it was a bit late.'

Det Sgt Dave Snasdell, of Cheshire police, said: 'This is the second time a substantial amount of TVs has been taken from the industrial premises.

'We are investigating the incident and we would urge any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.'